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BREAKING NEWS Tdap vaccine: who needs it, when and what to expect
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Tdap vaccine: who needs it, when and what to expect

Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, with separate recommendations for teens, adults, pregnancy and some wounds.

Tom Brennan

By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent

3 min read

Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also called whooping cough. The CDC recommends it for people age 7 and older, including a routine dose at age 11 or 12, a dose for adults who have not received Tdap, and a dose during every pregnancy.

Adults should receive a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years, according to the CDC. Td protects against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis.

What Tdap protects against

According to the CDC, tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds, while diphtheria and pertussis spread person to person. Tetanus can cause painful muscle stiffening and trouble swallowing or breathing; diphtheria can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis or death.

The CDC says pertussis can cause severe coughing that makes it difficult to breathe, eat or drink. It can be especially serious in babies and young children.

Who should get Tdap and when

  • Adolescents should receive one Tdap dose, preferably at age 11 or 12, according to the CDC.
  • Adults who have not received Tdap should get one dose, the CDC says. Adults should then receive Td or Tdap boosters every 10 years.
  • Pregnant people should receive Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably early in the third trimester, to help protect the newborn from pertussis, according to the CDC.
  • For a severe or dirty wound or burn, the CDC recommends a Td or Tdap booster after five years.

The CDC says Tdap may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

DTaP, Tdap and Td

  • DTaP protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis and is used for children age 7 and younger, according to CVS.
  • Tdap protects against all three diseases and is for children age 7 and older, adolescents and adults, according to the CDC.
  • Td protects against tetanus and diphtheria without pertussis protection, the CDC says.

Common reactions and urgent warning signs

The CDC says Tdap reactions can include pain, redness or swelling where the shot was given, mild fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomachache.

Call 911 and seek emergency care for signs of a severe allergic reaction, including hives; swelling of the face and throat; difficulty breathing; fast heartbeat; dizziness; or weakness, the CDC says.

What to discuss before a dose

Tell the vaccination provider about a severe allergy or an allergic reaction after a previous tetanus-, diphtheria- or pertussis-containing vaccine, the CDC says. Also discuss coma, decreased consciousness or prolonged seizures within seven days of a prior pertussis vaccine; seizures or another nervous-system problem; Guillain-Barré syndrome; or severe pain or swelling after a prior tetanus- or diphtheria-containing vaccine.

According to the CDC, people with a minor illness such as a cold may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover.

Frequently asked questions

Do adults need a Tdap or Td booster every 10 years?

The CDC recommends that adults receive a booster of either Tdap or Td every 10 years. Adults who have never received Tdap should receive a Tdap dose; Td does not protect against pertussis.

Why is Tdap recommended during every pregnancy?

The CDC recommends Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably early in the third trimester, to help protect the newborn from pertussis. The CDC says infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening pertussis complications.

When is a tetanus booster recommended after a severe or dirty wound?

The CDC recommends a Td or Tdap booster after five years in the case of a severe or dirty wound or burn.

Sources